House Speaker Mike Johnson bans transgender “women” from using women’s facilities at the U.S. Capitol, sparking controversy and accusations of discrimination.
At a Glance
- Speaker Johnson endorses resolution restricting access to single-sex facilities based on biological sex
- Move seen as targeting Sarah McBride, first openly transgender member of Congress
- Policy applies to restrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms for all House employees and officers
- Democrats and LGBTQ+ advocates criticize the ban as discriminatory and distracting from real issues
- Enforcement details remain unclear, raising concerns about potential harassment and privacy violations
Johnson Enforces Biological Sex-Based Facility Access
House Speaker Mike Johnson has announced a controversial ban on so-called “transgender women” (they are men) using women’s facilities at the U.S. Capitol. The policy, introduced following a resolution by South Carolina Republican Representative Nancy Mace, restricts access to single-sex facilities to those who actually are that sex. This move comes in response to Delaware Democrat Sarah McBride becoming the first transgender member of Congress.
Johnson emphasized the availability of private and unisex restrooms but has not specified how the bathroom policy will be enforced. The restrictions apply to restrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms for all employees and officers of the House.
Controversy and Criticism
The ban has ignited fierce debate and drawn criticism from Democrats and LGBTQ+ advocates. Representative Mark Pocan questioned the policy’s enforcement and potential for abuse and discrimination, stating:
“Will the Sergeant at Arms post officers in bathrooms? Will everyone who works at the Capitol have to carry around their birth certificate or undergo a genetic test?” Pocan asked. “This policy isn’t going to protect anyone—but it is going to open the door to rampant abuse, harassment, and discrimination in the Capitol.”
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries accused Republicans of attempting to “bully” McBride, while Annise Parker of the LGBTQ+ Victory Institute condemned the policy as bigoted and harmful, especially on Transgender Day of Remembrance.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) announced Wednesday that transgender women are not permitted to use bathrooms in the Capitol that match their gender identity, taking a stance on the hot-button issue.https://t.co/qVUnHufMJn
— ABC4 News (@abc4utah) November 20, 2024
McBride’s Response and Political Implications
Sarah McBride, who claims to be the “target” of this policy, stated “she” would comply with the order but criticized it as a distraction from real issues:
“I am not here to fight about bathrooms. I’m here to fight for Delawareans and to bring down costs facing families,” McBride said. “Like all members, I will follow the rules as outlined by Speaker Johnson, even if I disagree with them.”
Liberals see this action as part of a broader Republican strategy to use transgender rights issues as a political wedge. Republican-led state legislatures have attempted to pass similar bathroom laws, and House Republicans have previously proposed legislation to roll back transgender rights. The controversy arises as Democrats reflect on whether their stance on transgender rights affected their electoral outcomes.
